November 30, 2014




The Second Coming, San Vitale, Ravenna, 6th cent.

And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake [NRSV, Mark  13:37].

Christ Church Cathedral Choir Notes
The First Sunday of Advent





Gentile Bellini, Procession in Piazza San Marco (detail), Gallerie dell'Accademia, Venice, 1496

In place of evensong this coming Sunday, there will be a festive procession of lessons and carols. Click to access the complete programme.
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Conditor Alme Siderum (Creator of the Stars of Night) is the quintessential advent hymn. During advent it is always sung at Roman Catholic vespers. The postludes at both choral Eucharists this Sunday are organ versions of the hymn by Jehan Titelouze.

Jehan Titelouze, Conditor alme siderum, performed by Yves-G. Préfontaine  on the 1699 Tribout organ of the Church of St. Martin, Seurre, France with Les Chantres du Roy [BNQ] [BM] (info

Click to read about Conditor alme siderum and to listen to a number of choral and organ arrangements.

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"O" by Eric Gill

"O" Antiphons are an important element in Advent liturgy since the ninth century. A number of them will be sung during this year's Procession of Carols and Lessons for Advent.

Click to read about "O" Antiphons and listen to them in plainchant sung by the Dominican students of Blackfriars, Oxford, as well as versions by Healey Willan, Arvo Pärt and others.  
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  George Frideric Handel, Messiah

The Annual Handel's Messiah Sing-along will take place at Christ Church Cathedral on Saturday, December 13, 4:30 pm, with the Cathedral Singers and orchestra, Patrick Wedd directing.  Scores will be available. Free admission / voluntary contribution.

Video performance by the Trinity Church (Wall Street) Choir with the Trinity Baroque Orchestra, Julian Wachner, conductor.  [listen]  
Click to read about Messiah with access to a number of free online performances.


McGill University Noon-Hour Organ Recital Series
The Wolff organ of Redpath Hall - Admission Free

Fridays until December 5, 2014.





Master of San Baudelio de Berlanga, Entry into Jerusalem
Indianapolis Museum of Art, c. 1125

Bach Cantatas for the First Sunday of Advent:

Click to go to Johann Sebastian Bach, Schwingt freudig euch empor / Soar in your joy, Cantata 36, with performances by Gardiner, Harnoncourt, Kuijken, Leusink and Rilling.

Click to go to Johann Sebastian Bach, Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland / Now come, Saviour of the Gentile, Cantata 61, with performances by Gardiner, Harnoncourt, Leusink, Richter and Thomas.

Click to go to Johann Sebastian Bach, Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland / Now come, saviour of the gentiles, Cantata 62, with performances by Gardiner, Harnoncourt, Kamp and Leusink.



November 23, 2014


Andrei Rublev, Christ Enthroned, Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow, 1400-10

"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory [NRSV, Matt. 25:31]." 

The Reign of Christ
November 23, 2014
Click to go immediately to:








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William Walton


This coming Sunday, during the 10 am Choral Eucharist, the Cathedral Dancers will be accompanied by the choir singing William Walton, Jubilate Deo.

O be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands:
serve the Lord with gladness, and come before his presence with a song.
Be ye sure that the Lord he is God;
it is he that hath made us and not we ourselves;
we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.
O go your way into his gates with thanksgiving,
and into his courts with praise;
be thankful unto him and speak good of his Name.
For the Lord is gracious, his mercy is everlasting;
and his truth endureth from generation to generation.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son,
and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen. – Psalm 100

Listen to selections online:

Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford [YouTube]

Choir of King’s College, Cambridge [YouTube]

Choir of Saint Mary the Virgin, Nottingham [YouTube]

The Finzi Singers, Paul Spicer conducting [YouTube]

Reid Masters conducting [YouTube]

The Groton School Choir [YouTube]

The Greenville Chorale [YouTube]

Winchester Cathedral Choir [musicMe]

St. John’s College, Cambridge, Christopher Robinson conducting [BNQ; BM] (info)

The Bach Choir, The Philharmonia Orchestra, David Wilcocks conducting [BNQ; BM] (info)

St. John’s Cathedral Choir (Denver), Donald Pearson conducting [BNQ; BM] (info)


Beverly Hills All Saints’ Church Choir, Thomas Foster conducting [BNQ; BM] (info)

The organ voluntaries for the 10 am Choral Eucharist are also by William Walton.  To listen to wide selection of Walton’s music on YouTube, click here.


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McGill University Noon-Hour Organ Recital Series

The Wolff organ of Redpath Hall - Admission Free


Fridays until December 5 at 12:30 pm
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Bernardo Strozzi, The Tribute Money, Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest, 1630-35

Bach Cantatas for the 23rd Sunday after Trinity:

Click to go to Johann Sebastian Bach, Falsche Welt, dir trau ich nicht! / False world, I do not trust you!, Cantata 52, with performances conducted by Leonhardt, Leusink, Rilling and Ristenpart.
 
Click to go to Johann Sebastian Bach, Wohl dem, der sich auf seinen Gott / Happy is the man, who to his God, Cantata 139, with performances conducted by Gardiner, Harnoncourt, Leusink, Richter and Rilling.
  
Click to go to Johann Sebastian Bach, Nur jedem das Seine! / Only to each his due!, Cantata 163, with performances conducted by Harnoncourt, Leusink and Rilling.